Cats begin reloading

The personnel will change next season, but Clovis High boys basketball coach J.D. Isler said the style of play may not.

Seven seniors have graduated off the Wildcats’ 28-2 squad, which came within a basket of the Class 5A state championship, but Isler is confident as the summer season begins that he can mold another strong team.

The Cats and several area schools are taking part in Clovis’ summer league program at Rock Staubus Gym, which began this week and stretches into mid-June. Games are played on Tuesday and Thursday nights over a four-week period.

“We’ve really got to develop some outside shooting this summer,” Isler said between games of Thursday’s schedule at The Rock. “I feel like our inside game will be pretty solid with Jaye (Crockett) and Arthur Calbert.”

Players such as Stefan Mills and Calbert will step into more important roles. And the focal point this year is the 6-foot-6 Crockett, who will be a senior and is already verbally committed to Texas Tech.

“We just have to work on our outside game,” said Crockett, who added a flashy inside presence to the Cats’ guard-oriented attack in 2007-08. “I think me and Arthur can handle the inside.”

Mills rotated with the graduated Manuel Robles last season. He realizes he’s going to have a more spotlighted role.

“I think we’re going to have a solid team,” he said. “I’ve got to get in a little better shape. I’ve got to get in the gym this summer and really work on my shot to be where I need to be.”

Mills rarely scored last season, in part because the team had numerous scoring options.

“I had some opportunities,” he said. “Me and Manuel weren’t the greatest shooters in the world, but we had plenty of shooters.”

Despite the loss of Isler’s son, Jaden, and Bryce Hill to graduation, the coach thinks the Cats will still be able to play at a fast pace.

“I think between Stefan and (seniors) Bryan Pierson and Dexter Correll (up from the junior varsity), we can have a good backcourt,” he said. “I think we can still push the ball and press and play the same way.”

The team will attend several weekend tournaments and camps between now and the end of June. Clovis hosts a one-day tournament June 14.

“I have a pretty good feel for our team,” coach Isler said. “The big thing is we have to develop some chemistry and some leadership. We had tremendous leadership with those seniors last year.”